By Paul Smith 
Coventry Rugby have received a pre-season boost with the news that experienced second-row forward James Tyas has a good chance of being match fit for the start of the new league season in mid-September.
The 32-year-old lineout guru who is also an influential senior figure within the squad suffered a serious ankle injury during the second-half of his club’s final league game against Cornish Pirates in Penzance.
It was initially feared that the damage would necessitate not only an operation but also a significant period of rehab. However, Tyas has since dedicated himself to getting back on the field to such good effect that his target return date is several weeks ahead of schedule.
The experienced second row, who enjoyed a lengthy stint at Chinnor during the early part of his career, has therefore set his sights on facing his former club when they visit the Butts Park Arena for a pipe-opener on Friday September 13th.
“I pretty much needed a full ankle reconstruction,” he says. “All the ligaments needing pulling back together and re-attaching to the ankle and there was also a small crack in one of the bones.
“Immediately after the England U20s game in May I went to Cardiff for an operation which thankfully went really well.
“I was then bed-bound for two weeks in a cast before going into a boot and on crutches for another fortnight. I’m now doing a lot of movement-based rehab and in the next couple of weeks should be able to start doing some running.
“We can then also start improving the strength of the leg with plyometrics and all being well I will be back in full training early enough to be able to play against Chinnor in our second pre-season game.”
Not many would be able to put a positive spin on either such a serious injury or the loss of a summer break and family holiday, but Tyas has never been one for dwelling on negativity.
“In some ways I’m very lucky that I’ve had an injury of that size but not missed any games and hopefully will be back fully fit and raring to go for the new season,” he says.
“It has also given me the chance to use the time to get really fit and well-conditioned in the gym using the watt-bikes and doing ski sessions.
“This time has also allowed my body to have a spell with no contact when I get totally over the bumps and bruises from last season so I’m telling everyone they will see a ‘new me’ this season!
“I was supposed to have a week in Cornwall over the summer with my wife and daughter but much to their dismay we had to cancel when I got injured.
“During the two weeks that I was bed-bound it was really hard for my wife as I was unable to do anything with our little one so I’ve tried to make up for it since.
“I’ve also used the time to get the new Cov analysis team bedded in for the season so it hasn’t been entirely wasted.”
Pre-season friendlies at the Butts Park Arena:
August 24th (3pm kick off) Coventry Rugby v Birmingham Moseley
September 13th (7.30pm kick off) Coventry Rugby v Chinnor
These games are included in season membership packages. Others can purchase tickets via this link: https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/tickets/
Season memberships at Coventry Rugby are available via this link: https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/membership/
